Policy change can ease climate change

In response to the article, “Climate report findings ‘bleak’” (Star-Advertiser, Nov. 27), I’d like to offer hope.

Governments are rapidly transitioning from fossil fuels. There are more jobs in renewables and efficiency than in the CO2-emitting industries combined, and renewables have become more cost-effective.

We just need a national policy to speed the transition so we can meet the annual reduction target of 7.6% to cool our warming planet. An effective way to do this is to put a price on carbon pollution. Recently, members of Hawaii’s Citizens Climate Lobby chapters went to Washington, D.C., to meet with Hawaii’s congressional representatives and discuss the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (H.R. 763), a carbon-pricing bill which would reduce emissions by 40% from 2016 levels in 10 years.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz also co-sponsored the American Opportunity Carbon Fee Act of 2019 (S. 1128). There is hope.

Virginia Tincher

Aina Haina

Humane Society should be no-kill

I recently met with my attorney to remove from my will a large bequest to the Hawaiian Humane Society.

The final straw was HHS’s support of City Council Bill 59, which lowers to a mere five days the amount of time before an animal can be executed, even with ID. That doesn’t give owners of lost dogs much time to find their pet or possible adopters to meet a loving companion. For years when I volunteered with HHS, I was told that animals are kept forever as long as there is room, which I now know isn’t accurate. Many of these creatures are simply in need of extra medical care, training and attention after being abused or neglected. Their lives have meaning.

Euthanasia should be a desperate, rarely used option. There are certified nonprofits on this island that are strictly no-kill. If they can manage to care for rescued animals indefinitely, the HHS should be able to use its many donations to do the same.

My bequest will go to a no-kill shelter.

Laura Irelan

Kaneohe

Say ‘Honolulu’ like ‘Honokaa,’ not ‘Hana’

Kai Lohaki mentioned the correct way to pronounce Molokai, and also the correct elocution of Honolulu, Kaimuki and Wahiawa (“Pronounce ‘Molokai’ correctly, without okina,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Nov. 26). I’m neither an etymologist nor an elocutionist, so I am not sure about the latter two towns, but I should think that the first four letters of our state capital should be pronounced like the town of Honokaa on Hawaii island and not like the town of Hana on Maui.

I will admit that it is not easy, as most everyone uses the first four letters of the Maui town.

Bill Null

Kapaa, Kauai

GOP Senate blocks bills from House

The letter, “U.S. House wasting time, ignoring major issues” (Star-Advertiser, Nov. 29) misses the point by incorrectly and unfairly blaming the Democratic Party for not addressing the problems of our nation. It is not within the authority of one political party to cure the ills that plague us but rather all members of Congress (the House and Senate) to propose legislation for the president’s signature.

Indeed, “The People’s House” has already represented the people by rapidly passing a wide range of legislation, including bills to lower prescription drug prices and protect pre-existing conditions and as many as nine bills on veterans’ issues.

Meanwhile, in the Republican- controlled Senate, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, adhering to a partisan agenda, blatantly refuses to even give those bills a fair hearing.

House Democrats also tried to present an infrastructure plan to the president — only to have him walk out of the meeting.

It would appear that “inaction, inefficiency and idiocy” reside not in the House, but elsewhere.

Craig Stevaux

Kaneohe

Alleged assault of photographer wrong

As a sports photographer, I can understand the importance of staying off the field of play. And I can also understand that emotions can run high at the end of an important football game.

That said, there is absolutely no excuse for the alleged assault by University of Hawaii Warriors Coach Nick Rolovich against Star-Advertiser photographer, Jamm Aquino (“Assault at UH game alleged by Star-Advertiser photographer,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 29). There’s more to a football game than the players on the field: ushers, vendors, officials and, yes, the media, without which there would be few people in the stands to celebrate the Rainbow Warriors’ victories.

Like Rolovich, Aquino was just doing his job. And, may I say, he’s one of the best at what he does.

The incident should be thoroughly investigated and, if the coach is found guilty, he should receive the maximum penalty under the law.

C. Richard Fassler

Manoa

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